The musty scent of damp, unwashed clothes assailed Jorel's nose as his bare feet touched the cold floor, carefully navigating around the strewn garments as he followed Dorl.
"Tina… I thought I told you to clean up after yourself," Dorl said, his voice unusually soft.
"You did…? When…? Hehehe." The little girl giggled, darting around the living room. Dorl sighed, his back hunching.
"What am I even going to do with you?" He ran a hand through his thinning, whitish hair.
Jorel watched them, feeling both close and distant, his mind buzzing with questions.
The kid…
Wonder where her mother is…
Not that I care----I'm just curious.
"Hey, you're tall, stranger!" Tina bounded close to Jorel, causing him to instinctively recoil, dragging his feet across the cold floor.
CRACK!
"Ouchh!" His foot landed on a piece of dried candle wax. Jorel yelped, immediately jumping, clutching his foot. The sole of his foot was a faint red.
"Hahahahaha!" The little girl burst into laughter.
"Hmmph!" Why, you… Jorel scowled at the girl, his eyes narrowed.
Dorl glanced in Tina's direction, a soft smile gracing his features.
"So… Kumigara…" Jorel began, setting his foot back down.
"What did you want to discuss?" He rested a hand on the hilt of his sword.
Maybe he doesn't want to talk about anything… Maybe it's all just a ruse.
The girl is probably here for me to let my guard down…
So he can strike when needed.
Jorel's eyes subtly scanned both Dorl and Tina.
"Ahh yes… I'm sorry again…" Dorl's smile weakened, though he still gripped the paper tightly.
"Can we discuss it here? I'm sure the other rooms are like this place… if not worse." He chuckled softly.
"You know how kids are."
You're the one that doesn't know how to control your own kid.
Jorel mumbled under his breath, maintaining a steady gaze on Dorl.
"Ohh, Daddy, what's that in your hand?" Tina darted up to him.
The energy kids have. Was I like this when I was younger…?
Jorel's mind briefly wandered, images of a younger version of himself flashing before his eyes. He pictured himself holding a wooden sword, practicing in green pastures as the wind gently swayed the tall grass. A faint smile touched his lips, then quickly faded.
"It's paper, honey… Something more like a letter," Dorl's words pulled Jorel back to reality as he turned to Tina and patted her head.
"Awwn, paper? Can I draw on it?" She asked, bouncing with excitement.
"No, you can't… It's important." Dorl pulled the paper away from her, wagging a finger.
Tina's face puckered as if she'd tasted a sour lemon for the first time, her eyes growing watery, her lips quivering.
"Okay, okay… You can go to my room…" Dorl waved his hands reassuringly.
"Check my drawer, you'll see lots of paper there." He smiled, lifting her up and turning her around.
Tina laughed gleefully, her mucus swirling. He set her down, and in a blink, she was off, but not before stopping by Jorel, frowning at him, sticking out her tiny tongue, and then continuing her dash.
What the…
Jorel's face was a picture of perplexity.
"Now…" Dorl's head bowed, the paper rustling louder in his slowly clenching fist.
"We can discuss about it right here." He raised his head, staring directly at Jorel, his once sunny smile now obscured by stormy clouds.
"So what exactly didn't you understand?" Jorel walked casually around the living room, sidestepping the scattered clothes.
"It's just that…" Dorl's breath hitched. "…I mean, why?"
"If you want to know why, I suggest you take it up with my father," Jorel said, his teeth glinting as he pointed upwards.
"Especially since you said you know him personally."
Probably a lie just to gain favor… typical.
But he did recognize my insignia…
Jorel mocked inwardly.
"But we're just a mining town… What of the people within it---" Dorl's hand trembled.
"---That's even more reason why you should accept," Jorel's voice turned to stone.
"Let's be frank here…" He waved his hand dismissively around the room.
"This town is a complete dump, your house is even a pig's sty."
Don't care if he gets offended, it's just the plain truth.
Jorel thought, rolling his eyes.
Dorl's head dropped, his face as pale as chalk. His hands moved frantically as he stumbled backward onto a chair riddled with holes.
He breathed out roughly, then opened the paper again, looking at it. Jorel moved in closer, positioning himself directly above him.
"Just sign the paper here and that's it." His finger pointed to the bottom of the document.
---The end of chapter 14---